County Donegal

In Dancing at Lughnasa (1990) by Brian Friel (b.1929), the author presents a memory play with themes of memory and migration, together with language and performance. The 'drama explores complex issues in the lives of invented characters' (Lojek, 2006 in Gupta, 2012, p. 250). Friel's characters stress memory over history, the stage directions demonstrate a variety of events in an individual and communal position. The Mundy's family express their past with a social-historical background, depicting

The Great Irish Famine happened during the mid-19th century, and was caused by potato blight, which hit Ireland in 1845 (Grada, “Ireland’s Great Famine” 43). It destroyed a big portion of crops so it became “lethal” due to the fact that Ireland was very dependent on potatoes in their everyday meals (Grada, “Ireland’s Great Famine” 43). This led to a scarce amount of food and many died from starvation, or other diseases that resulted from the famine (Grada, “Ireland’s Great Famine” 51). In the 1800s

The Many Faces of Dance in Rural Ireland – Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa Undoubtedly, dance is deeply rooted in Irish culture. This connection is portrayed by the Irish dramatist Brian Friel in Dancing at Lughnasa, where it has a crucial role. The play depicts the daily lives of five sisters from the point of view of Michael, the son of one of them. In his dramatic narrative, he describes a number of events in which dancing is present in some form. At first glance, the function of dance in the

Translations depicts the cultural take over of Ireland by the British Empire, yet it cannot be said to be simply pro-Irish.’ Consider this comment. English Literature Coursework- ‘Translations depicts the cultural take over of Ireland by the British Empire, yet it cannot be said to be simply pro-Irish.’ Consider this comment on the play. The Cultural take over of Ireland by the British Empire is a central issue in Translations. Friel examines this issue by describing the effects that

” Dancing at Lughnasa” is a play written by Brian Friel first published in 1990. In the play, Friel tells the story of Ireland as a whole through the story of a family living in Ballybeg, Donegal. The family consists of five sisters and their brother, as well as Michael. Michael is the son of one of the sisters, Christina, but more importantly the narrator of the story. The play is set in the summer of 1936. The first change mentioned in the book is the return of Father Jack. Father Jack is the

It is no wonder that opera singer Brian Mulligan will soon be fulfilling one of his biggest artistic dreams when he takes the stage in the title role of San Francisco Opera's production of "Sweeney Todd" this weekend. It was not all that long ago that the baritone vocalist was hoping that some day he'd take on the prized title character in Stephen Sondheim's popular opera. For fans and followers of the opera scene, Mulligan's young career is a refreshing gift to the art community. Having been cast

A comparison of Brian Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come & Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge Both Brian Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come, and Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge bear a resemblance to each other as plays, particularly in certain areas. For example, both plays are set at a similar time, in similarly isolated, and to a certain extent impoverished setting. Dramatic tension is used to great effect in both plays, to hold the audiences attention. The key moment, or climax

The Great Ireland Potato Famine Effects The Great Ireland Potato Famine was a horrible event that had many lasting effects. Some of these effects were starvation, disease, poverty, emigration, and lost traits. These effects plagued mostly western Ireland, but had an overall effect on all of Ireland. Many of the traditional ways of economics and society changed drastically because of the famine. Many people also blamed the British for letting the famine get so bad. These effects will be discussed

Brian Friel's "Translations" 'Translations', by Brian Friel, presents us with an idyllic rural community turned on its head as the result of the recording and translation of place names into English; an action which is at first sight purely administrative. In Act 1 of the play, Friel brings together the inhabitants of this quaint Irish village in what can only be described as a gathering of minds - minds which study the classics, yet minds which study dead languages. In the same way, while

The play ‘Translations’ is set in a Gaelic-speaking, Hedge school in Northern Ireland, 1833. Brian Friel explores the modernization affect individuals and communities that occurred as a result of the conquering English language. He examines how language shapes reality, whilst questioning the assumption that any two people can share the same reality; ideas can be translated between cultures without necessarily being altered. The play offers a parable about the fate of a parochial attitude for those